McCrorie’s coming of age

Scotland under-21s: Youngster relishing his first-team status with Rangers

Ross McCrorie has enjoyed a dramatic change to his life since breaking into the Rangers side this season but only now feels like a proper first-team player.

The 19-year-old centre back was handed his debut by former Light Blues boss Pedro Caixinha in a 3-1 Betfred Cup win against Partick Thistle in September and has since become a regular.

He scored his first goal in the 3-0 Premiership win against the Jags before the international break, with stand-in manager Graeme Murty preferring the youngster to experienced Portugal defender Bruno Alves.

McCrorie is likely to start for Scotland under-21s in their 2019 European championship qualifier against Ukraine at McDiarmid Park tonight after John Souttar sustained a bout of concussion in the 1-1 draw against Latvia on Friday and if he

“Up among the first-team boys and I am loving every minute”

does, it will be with the confidence of a player who no longer feels like a youth player at his club.

“Life has changed dramatically,” he said. “Making my debut and staying in the team for the last eight games has been brilliant and hopefully I can keep building on it.

“That’s me moved into the first-team dressingroom. I am up among the first-team boys and I am loving every minute of it.

“It hasn’t been too much difference because I know them all and train with